Greenman OPEN secures building permit for the redevelopment of Stadtgalerie Datteln – Greenman Subsidiaries White Bird and GFORM to manage project

• Long-term lease signed with Kaufland, increasing food retail share from 23% to 55%
• Overall WARLT for the centre targeted to approx. 16 years
• Construction start planned for Q3 2025, reopening late 2026 / early 2027
• Sustainable transformation of existing building with new layouts, improved access routes, and upgraded technical and energy infrastructure
• PV systems, EV charging stations, and smart sensor technology for energy and data monitoring to be implemented

Greenman OPEN, one of Germany’s leading investment funds specialising in grocery-anchored retail real estate, has received the official building permit for the planned redevelopment of Stadtgalerie Datteln. This marks a key milestone in the project, paving the way for the comprehensive modernisation and long-term repositioning of the local shopping centre. The project management and technical coordination of the development will be overseen by White Bird, subsidiary of the Greenman Group. GFORM, also part of the Greenman Group, is responsible for the management of the centre and develops the long-term leasing strategy.

Long-term grocery anchor as cornerstone of leasing strategy

GFORM is pursuing a sustainable, long-term leasing strategy focused on strengthening the centre’s role as a key local retail location. James McEvoy, CEO of GFORM explains: “Our primary goal from the outset was to secure a strong grocery retailer for Stadtgalerie. We are therefore especially pleased that our trusted partner Kaufland has committed to a long-term lease agreement, laying the foundation for the future supply and revitalisation of the centre. At the same time, we see this redevelopment as a reflection of our responsibility towards the city and its people. That is why part of the rental space will be dedicated to a hub for social initiatives and educational programmes, brought together under the project title ‘Beezdorf’ – a space for community, exchange and events.”

In the future, Kaufland will occupy approx. 5,000 sqm of retail space on the ground floor and an additional 335 sqm on the upper floor. The previous grocery tenant, REWE, had operated on approx. 2,280 sqm. With this new lease, the proportion of food retail within the overall lettable area will increase significantly from 23% to around 55%, marking a decisive step toward creating a more balanced and resilient tenant mix. GFORM is currently in advanced discussions with other leading retailers who will contribute to the final tenant mix of the centre. Following the approval of the building permit, final decisions on preferred retailers and lease agreements are expected to be made in the coming weeks. The overall WARLT of the entire centre is targeted for 16 years.

Sustainable redevelopment focused on infrastructure, energy efficiency and customer experience

Construction works are scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2025, with completion and reopening planned for late 2026 / early 2027. The centre offers a total gross floor area of approx. 26,000 sqm, with 65 parking spaces in the underground car park and 204 spaces on the rooftop deck.

A comprehensive range of structural measures is planned as part of the redevelopment to enhance both the appearance and functionality of Stadtgalerie Datteln. A key feature will be the installation of a photovoltaic system on the centre’s rooftop as well as charging infrastructure by Greenman Energy, a Greenman Group subsidiary, supporting the project’s energy optimisation strategy. In addition, the Group subsidiary Edyfi will install smart sensor technology throughout the centre to enable the measurement and analysis of energy efficiency, CO₂ emissions and customer journeys.

The western facade of the centre will be redesigned, incorporating a new canopy and targeted green facades to contribute to an improved urban microclimate. Additional openings and visual connections will create stronger links between the retail spaces, the city centre and the surrounding public spaces.

The building’s accessibility will also be significantly improved. Access to both the rooftop parking and underground car park will be consolidated and relocated to a new building structure on Kolpingstraße. In addition, the pedestrian access areas will be optimised and enhanced with new entrances. A modernised delivery zone will be tailored to the operational requirements of Kaufland, ensuring efficient logistics and delivery processes.

Luisa Wolf, CEO of White Bird, sees the building permit as an important milestone:
“The building permit reflects the result of a trustful and constructive collaboration with the City of Datteln and Mayor André Dora. We are currently in the tendering phase. A particular focus is now on initiating all necessary technical surveys at an early stage – especially with regards to the conversion and further development of the existing building structure. These will provide the basis for a sound cost calculation and enable us to manage the construction requirements and project implementation in a structured and forward-looking manner.”

The execution of the redevelopment will be carried out by RATHKE Architekten BDA from Wuppertal, who will work closely with White Bird on the realisation of the project.

Markus Rathke, Managing Director of RATHKE Architekten, adds:
“By preserving and adapting the existing building structure to meet today’s standards, we are laying the foundation for a sustainable transformation of Stadtgalerie. New layouts, optimised access routes and the technical and energy-efficient upgrade of the building will enable the centre to attract strong retail tenants. Transparency, light and greenery will give the centre a new identity – while the improved integration with Datteln’s city centre will generate added value for the surrounding urban environment.”

The City of Datteln also welcomes the planned modernisation as an important stimulus for the further development of the city centre. Mayor André Dora emphasises:
“As a key retail destination in our city centre, Stadtgalerie plays an important role in Datteln. That is why I see this redevelopment as a valuable contribution to local supply and a positive impulse for Datteln as a retail location. Our close and trustful collaboration with the Greenman Group demonstrates that both sides are committed to a successful and sustainable development of the site.”

The project exemplifies the structured collaboration within the Greenman Group, where investment, real estate management, project development and energy solutions come together to future-proof retail real estate. The revitalisation of the centre will play a key role in aligning both Greenman OPEN’s and its retailers’ Net Zero targets — particularly in terms of data transparency, energy efficiency and sustainable optimisation. Following completion, White Bird will oversee the technical management, while GFORM will be responsible for the long-term management of the property.